Brett Eldredge Covers Billie Eilish’s ‘When the Party’s Over’

Check out the country star's verison of a dark-pop ballad.

Written by Chris Parton
Brett Eldredge Covers Billie Eilish’s ‘When the Party’s Over’
BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 02: American singer Brett Eldredge performs live on stage during the Country To Country Festival at the Verti Music Hall on March 2, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Frank Hoensch/Redferns)

Country hit maker Brett Eldredge is keeping fans on their toes with a stunning new cover, releasing a powerful live version of dark-pop superstar Billie Eilish’s “When The Party’s Over.”

Recorded onstage in Glasgow, Scotland, at the Old Fruitmarket Concert Hall during Eldredge’s European tour last year, the rendition features Eldredge’s smoldering vocal, a patient piano and some airing guitars and drums. But as spartan as the sound is, the song is still full of intense emotions. Joined by a video shot at London’s O2 arena on that same tour, the often-lighthearted artist adds a muscular seriousness to the delicate devastation of Eilish’s thought-provoking composition.

“I heard this song a year or two ago and I just love how unique of an artist she is and the complex nature of the songs she writes,” Eldredge explains. “I love how emotional and intense they are and could tell she had to grow up fast and really puts her life out there in her music. I think that’s a powerful thing to be that young and to have found your voice, and it speaks to people of all ages. For whatever reason, when people hear my cover of this song, I think they’d say to themselves ‘I didn’t see that coming at all’ but that’s exactly what I wanted because when I heard it I thought ‘Man, I could do something special with this.’ I’m so grateful for the song that she’s written here and grateful to be able to sing it.”

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This recording was in the UK at one of the last and few shows We played in 2020…I close my eyes when I listen and it takes me right back to that stage, I feel the heat of the lights and the racing of my heart, I’m surrounded by an incredible band that I Love (just listen to their magic) and by fans that love me for me…the nerves melt away and I’m in the moment, lost in the emotion…when I heard @billieeilish sing this song, I was so blown away by her and her songwriting and knew I wanted to do somethin with “When the Party’s Over”… it truly shows how incredible songs transcend genres and boundaries…go to the link in my bio and listen, close your eyes, find yourself in the crowd, and allow yourself to feel all the emotions…I hope you love it

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Eldredge’s “When the Party’s Over” cover is a bit of a “left turn” from his last release, the nostalgic life-lesson that is “Sunday Drive.” The Illinois native also filmed a cinematic music video for the track in his Midwestern hometown, and it appears as the title track on his fifth album.